The goal of developing Fisherman’s Wharf into a zero waste zone is to divert over 90% of all materials generated by businesses going to the landfill and create Fisherman’s Wharf into premium ecological tourist destination.   

Fisherman’s Wharf has dedicated team members to:

• Educate businesses on what can be recycled and composted and on how to minimize the generation of waste
• Determine characteristics of current material hauled to the landfill and which ones may be recycled or composted.
• Provide businesses with suppliers who will help them achieve zero waste.
• Train staff on the correct zero waste collection procedures.
• Promote participants to the media, website, and other PR tools.

Easy and Cost Effective

Consultation with the zero waste team members is free to all businesses within the FWCBD boundary.  The zero waste program is easy to implement and in most cases cost-neutral or cost-savings.   The team member will assist the businesses on all aspects of implementing a zero waste program.

Fisherman's Wharf Zero Waste Business Recognition Program 

Businesses participating in the Zero Waste Business Recognition Program must meet the following criteria:

• Commitment to the triple bottom line where social, environmental and economic performance standards are met together.
• Divert more than 90% of the solid wastes we generate from landfill from all of our facilities.
• Buy reused, recycled & composted whenever possible
• Edible food is donated in accordance with the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
• Encourage source reduction to minimize the generation of waste.
• Promote reuse of unwanted items.
• Tonnages of material collected while meeting the above criteria is entered into the zero waste recognition application form

Questions and Resources

The zero waste team has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and resources that may assist the businesses in achieving zero waste.  Visit San Francisco's Department of Environment Zero Waste FAQ page. For information on buying green products tested and recommended by San Francisco visit the SF Approved website. For questions on compostable products refer to the Institute for Local Self Reliance “Compostable Products FAQ” page.

For further questions, please contact a zero waste team member at zerowaste@visitfishermanswharf.com